Definition

1. Intransitive Verb:
   • To burst into flames, to ignite suddenly and intensely: Refers to the sudden and often violent start of a fire, where flames appear and spread rapidly.
   • To flare up, to blaze up: Describes a fire that starts or intensifies quickly and with noticeable force.

Usage Examples

• Intransitive Verb:
  • Căn nhà bỗng nhiên bùng cháy dữ dội. (The house suddenly burst into fierce flames.)
  • Đám cỏ khô có thể bùng cháy chỉ từ một tia lửa nhỏ. (The dry grass can burst into flames from just a small spark.)
  • Ngọn lửa bùng cháy sau vụ nổ. (The fire blazed up after the explosion.)

Advanced Usage

• Used figuratively to describe intense, sudden emotions or conflicts: While the core meaning is literal, it can be applied metaphorically.
  • Cơn giận của anh ấy bùng cháy. (His anger flared up.)
  • Cuộc xung đột bùng cháy trở lại. (The conflict flared up again.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bùng nổ (verb): To explode, to erupt. Often used for explosions or sudden outbreaks (e.g., of war, population). It shares the sense of sudden onset but is not specific to fire.
• Cháy (verb): To burn, to be on fire. This is the general state of burning, whereas "bùng cháy" emphasizes the moment of ignition or intensification.
• Bốc cháy (verb): To catch fire, to burst into flames. A very close synonym to "bùng cháy."

Synonyms

• Bốc cháy: To catch fire, to burst into flames.
• Bắt lửa: To catch fire, to ignite.
• Bùng lên: To flare up (can be used for fire or emotions).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Như lửa gặp cỏ khô: (Idiom) Like fire meeting dry grass. Used to describe something that spreads or intensifies with extreme speed and intensity, similar to how a fire "bùng cháy."
  • Tin đồn lan truyền như lửa gặp cỏ khô. (The rumor spread like wildfire.)

1. Burst into flames